Insurance Company Requirements for Roof Replacement

Whenever your roof experiences any kind of damage, it is extremely important that it gets repaired or replaced as soon as possible. The roof provides the most protection out of any element of the home, so if it comes to any harm, that could end up causing even more damage to the home via leaks, bug infestation, or other means. Contacting their insurance company is the first step that most homeowners take after their roof has received damage. However, it is important to note that filing an insurance claim can be a complex and tedious process for many people.

Before contacting your insurance company, you may consider contacting a contractor whom you trust to help guide you through the insurance claim process. The homeowner might be unsure of what type of claim to file, whether they have filed it in time, and if the insurance company covers the type of damage the roof has sustained. There are other considerations, but this guide will help Indianapolis residents get a clearer picture of the insurance company requirements for a roof replacement.

What Is Covered By My Insurance Policy?

Damage caused by fire, vandalism, and severe weather events like hurricanes or tornadoes, are covered by most insurance companies. However, damage caused by less severe events like high winds, heavy rain or snow, and hail may not be covered by your policy. You need to find out what kind of coverage is provided by your insurance company before filing a claim.

The age of the roof also affects the type of coverage you receive. Roofs that are ten years old or less will likely be covered, but roofs that are older may be covered differently. If they are covered, then you may not receive the full payment from the insurance company because the value of the roof has depreciated during that time. The insurer will reimburse the homeowner for the decreased value of the roof before the damage took place.

The Steps To Take When Filing a Claim

Take Pictures To Document The Damage

The first step is to document the damage on the roof by taking pictures, you can do this yourself if it is safe to do so, if it is not, then you should have a professional roofing contractor document the damage for you. Ideally, you should have before and after pictures of your roof, otherwise the insurance company might claim that the roof damage is not new and try to deny your claim.

You should have an inspection of your roof about twice a year, during which time the roofing contractor takes photos of the roof. That way, you will have before and after pictures to show to the insurer, it is even better if the photos are labelled with dates and times to further legitimize your claim. The roofing contractor will also document the type of damage and give you an explanation of what needs to be repaired and how much it will cost.

Work With a Certified Roofing Contractor

A professional roofing contractor will not only perform the necessary inspections to help you make your claim, they can also help to guide you through the claims process as well. You should look for a roofing contractor who has experience dealing with insurance companies because they will help to ease you through what can be a very trying process.

Contact Your Insurance Company

You should call your insurance company after meeting with your contractor. It’s important not to wait too long to call your insurance company, they may deny your claim if you wait too long to submit it. You should always stay up to date on the type of roof damage covered by your insurer and on the time limit you have to file a claim.

After submitting your claim, the insurance company will send an insurance adjuster to inspect the damaged roof and determine how much the company will pay for a roof repair or replacement. It is always a good idea to let your contractor know when the insurance adjuster is coming out to inspect so that the contractor can meet the adjuster to discuss the damage and advocate on the homeowner’s behalf.

Always Keep Apprised Of Your Insurance Policy

The best way to make sure that you meet the requirements for a roof replacement set out by your insurance company is to closely monitor your insurance policy even before your roof needs replacing. You should also have a certified roofing contractor take photos of the roof while they perform your biannual roof inspection. That is because the best way to meet the requirements is to prove that the damage to the roof was not pre-existing.

Jackson Contracting Inc. will provide the necessary roofing inspections homeowners need to help you file your claim. Once that claim has been filed, we will perform the repairs or replacement you need so that you never have to worry the next time a disaster strikes.